Growing growers.

APPLICATIONS FOR FARMER TRAINING ARE OPEN!

We are currently accepting applications for our Grow Louisiana Beginning Farmer Training Program. This free, yearlong program is designed to train those who have less than ten years of farmer or rancher experience in Louisiana whether they own land or not. Farmers will learn about sustainable farming and land use, horticultural skills, how to market their farm, land acquisition, and more. There will be opportunities to network with other growers, share resources, and access to mentors.

ReFresh Farmers Market T-Shirts!

COME OUT AND Support SPROUT NOLA BY getTING this cool t-shirt!

The artwork for this beautiful shirt was designed by Workshop: Design and Handcraft for our Refresh Farmers Market. You can pick one up every Monday, 4-7 PM at the market in front of the ReFresh Building at 300 N Broad Street (in front of Whole Foods).

Shirt sizes XS-XL

MEET OUR COMMUNITY GARDENERS

SPROUT recently received an opportunity to have our community garden and gardeners highlighted in a video created by Upworthy. This video not only highlights the community that has been grown inside the SPROUT NOLA garden, but also our larger community. Please take a look and meet not only our gardeners, but our community.

Get Involved

We love meeting new gardeners, plant lovers or people with a passion for community food. There are so many skills that this work takes, so please reach out if you'd like to get involved!

Sign Up For a Program

Sign up for one of our programs, or check out the calendar to make future plans.

Make a Donation

We believe that weaknesses in our food system don't simply end with more access to low-cost food and can't be solved without the help of growers. We support established and developing farmers in our community with technical and social support to build a stronger, more equipped community of growers in New Orleans and help all New Orleanians be part of a community food system.

Local food and urban farming aren't hip

They're tradition. New Orleans has a strong agricultural backbone, but our modernized food system has left many local growers behind. New farmers entering the field are often unable to find resources and support to continue the challenging task of growing food in the deep South and subsequently quit or can't support themselves off of farming.

Afood system is the path that food travels from a farm to your table. Every step of growing, harvesting, processing, transporting, selling, consuming, and disposing of food involves people. Every community has it's own unique food system. When a food system relies heavily on products from far away then small, local farmers suffer and consumers don't get fresh, local food. For New Orleans to have a healthy food system we need farmers who are economically stable, empowered, and supported. We need consumers who love their farmers and local food. We need city-wide support of green infrastructure that allows for food production in city-limits. And we need you to help.

30+

Community Gardeners

The ReFresh Community Farm is home to over 30 community gardeners who participate on a weekly basis in growing food as individuals and collectively. ReFresh community gardeners are available to talk 4 days a week at the garden and help teach classes and give tours of the farm.

150+

Community Classes

SPROUT NOLA staff has taught over 150 community classes since 2011, almost all completely free to the community. We offer classes for everyone from home gardeners to expirienced farmers looking to learn new technology.

8000+

Pounds Of Food Produced

SPROUT NOLA has grown over 8,000 pounds of community food and has a goal of growing 2,500 pounds in 2018 alone.

Our Programs

We approach the community food system on all levels to create real, meaningful, change that puts the food of New Orleans back in the hands of the people. To build better economic opportunity for farmers in New Orleans we have to address their needs, but also work with community at large to build awareness and support system.

Farmers

SPROUT NOLA creates technical assistance programs for farmers year-round. We also act as a resource for new and beginning farmers during Volunteer for Veggies, community-building events and assistance preparing to sell at markets. The ReFresh Market, our weekly farmer's market, is low barrier to entry, fee-free and farmer-focused. In 2018 we will be focused on trainings about loan programs, new tools for market gardeners and aggregating produce for farmers.

Community Gardeners

We organize community gardeners so that they can do their best work. Our community gardeners at the ReFresh Community Garden are an amazing and talented group of people we get the pleasure of offering support and programming to. We also work to organize the gardeners of Faubourg Lafitte and the Senior Living Center. SPROUT offers seeds, printed materials and organizational help to the gardeners who really make things come together!

Consumers

SPROUT's weekly farmers market, The ReFresh Market is a fun, affordable and eclectic place to shop. We have veggie vendors, value-added products, cupcakes and prepared food. Join us Mondays from 4-7pm at the corners of Broad and Bienville to put your grocery bucks towards local small businesses. We accept SNAP benefits and Veggie Rx coupons.

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October 2017

"When I got to spend time in the garden it really made me love the farmers that grow my food."